Reconciliations of consolidated profit before taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	$ 2,634	$ 1,999
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	3,843	2,194
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Construction Industries
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	1,790	1,057
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Resource Industries
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	764	361
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Energy & Transportation
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	1,057	538
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Financial Products Segment
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	232	238
Operating Segments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	11	3
Intersegment Eliminations | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	30	10
Intersegment Eliminations | Corporate Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(238)	(198)
Intersegment Eliminations | Timing
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(206)	(98)
Intersegment Eliminations | Restructuring Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(611)	(13)
Intersegment Eliminations | Inventory/cost of sales
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	126	168
Intersegment Eliminations | Postretirement Benefits Expense
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(31)	81
Intersegment Eliminations | Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(44)	(40)
Intersegment Eliminations | Financing Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(50)	(100)
Intersegment Eliminations | Currency
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(26)	106
Intersegment Eliminations | Other Income Expense Methodology Differences
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(146)	(81)
Intersegment Eliminations | Other
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	$ (24)	$ (33)